Automatic draft regulator



Dec. 19, 1939.

J. SCHULTZ Q 2,184,228

AUTOMATIC DRAFT REGULATOR Filed May 13, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor JOHN SCHULTZ,

anul 011.04.

Attorneys Dec. 19, 1939.

AUTOMATIC DRAFT REGULATOR Filed May 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 By QM Attorneys J. SCHULTZ 2,184,228;

Dec. 19, 1939. H L Z 2,184,228

\AUTOMATIC DRAFT REGULATOR Filed May 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3' JOHN SCHULTZ A izorneys In ventor Patented Dec. 19, 1939 UNHE STATES T E T o rt er.

This invention relates to regulators for controlling the draft of fireplaces, stoves, burners and the like, and the object of the invention is to provide a regulator of this character which may be readily inserted in the flue between the chimney and the fireplace, stove, furnace and the like and which will operate automatically for maintaining substantially a uniform draft under any and all conditions.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the draft regulator.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View taken substantially on the line EL-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the regulator at the outlet end of the latter.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 3, and

5 Figure '7 is a perspective view of a valve assembly.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that in the preferred embodiment thereof the draft regulator comprises a tubular member 5 adapted to be inserted, horizontally or vertically, as the occasion may require, in the flue pipe intermediate the fireplace, furnace, stove or the like and the chimney, in a manner to have the smoke and products of combustion from the fireplace, furnace, or the like pass therethrough, entering the tube 5 of the regulator at the inlet end 6 thereof and passing from the tube 5 through the outlet 1 hereof.

Inlets 5 and l are flared as shown while the intermediate portion of the tube 5 is substantially rectangular in cross-section and at one side of the flue, the side walls 4 at opposite sides of the intermediate portion of the tube have integral substantially segmental-shaped wall extensions 8 which at the lower edges thereof are connected by an arcuate wall 9 and at the inclined straight edges thereof are connected by a relatively flat wall it equipped with a series of louvres or air inlets ll.

Pivotally mounted within the intermediate portion of the tube 5 is a valve 52 which in the present instance is cut from a single length of metal or other suitable material cut shaped and dimensioned to provide a relatively flat Valve plate I l for the louvres or air inlets l I and an arcuate integral" valve plate l5 that serves to control the passage of smoke and other products of combustion through the tube 5 of the regulator, the valve assembly !3 being accommodated within the formation it of the tube 5 and which forma- 5 tion It is formed by the wall extensions 8, wall 9, and wall it.

The valve plates I4 and I5 are braced relative to one another through the medium of a brace bar i1. 10

Secured to one side of the valve plate M at the free end thereof is a transverse cleat l8 that at the ends'thereof is equipped with pintles l9 journaled in bearings 20 provided therefor in the tube 5 at the inner or upper end of the inclined wall 15 3 as best shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The cleat It has extending therefrom a shank 2t that is threaded to accommodate to any desired and suitable number, weights 22. In the present instance two weights 22 are illustrated. 20

Also in accordance with the present invention the tube 5 at the outlet end 1 thereof is provided on the side of the tube from which the formation i6 extends, with an opening 23 through which access may be had to the weights 22 for 25 positioning the same at the desired position of adjustment on the shank 2!. For the opening 23 there is provided a slide closure or door 24.

In actual practice the weights 22 are positioned at the desired position of adjustment on 30 the shank 2! dependent upon the desired regulation of the draft.

Thus it will be seen that as the chimney draft at the outlet end i of the regulator increases the resultant suction in the tube 5 will act on the 35 valve assembly E3 to cause the same to swing against the action of weights 22, positioning the valve member l5 across the bore of the tube 5 at the inner end of the inlet 6 to an extent dependent upon the amount of chimney draft thus 40 insuring a constant furnace or fire draft at the inlet 8 of the tube.

' Obviously the air ports or louvres H will permit bleeding of air from the tube 5 so that such air will not prevent return movement of the valve 45 assembly 13, as the suction, due to reduced chimney draft, decreases.

When there is no chimney draft the valve assembly will be in the full line position shown in Figure 3, closing the openings H and leaving the 5 passage for smoke or other products of combustion through the tube 6 free.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction utility and advantages of a draft regulator embodying the features of the present 55 invention will be had without a more detailed description.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is A draft regulator of the character described comprising a tubular member having a substantially rectangular intermediate portion and flared substantially cylindrical inlet and outlet end portions, said tube having opposite side walls thereof at the squared intermediate portion of said tube extended laterally and having straight and curved edges, a wall connecting said wall extensions at the straight edges thereof, an arcuate Wall connecting said wall extensions at the armate edges of said wall extensions, said first-named connecting wall being provided with a series of louvres, a substantially L-shaped valve member pivotally mounted in said tube and including a relatively fiat valve part for controlling said louvres and an arcuate valve part for movement across the interior of said tube at the inner end of the inlet end of said tube, a cross bar connected to the free end of the fiat valve part and having pintles at its ends, bearing members in the tubular member for receiving the pintles, said bearing members being located adjacent the junction of the straight edges of the lateral extensions of the side walls with the adjacent portion of the tubular member, a threaded shank connected with the bar and extending into the tubular member and weights threaded on said shank for normally holding the valve in inoperative position within the lateral extension of 5 

